Best brake cable for not fraying?

bendertherobot

I have good wire cutters. But it's often variable as to whether the cable decides to fray when cut.

When installing I am super careful, then super heat the end to ensure it's sealed.

Are there any good pre cut (shimano/sram) cables that are also resistant to fraying?

imposter2.0

Fraying is inevitable if the cable is cut. That's why people fit crimpers or cable ends.

bendertherobot

But it shouldn't immediately happen. Especially if you want to thread it through the outer!

ugo.santalucia

bendertherobot wrote:

But it shouldn't immediately happen. Especially if you want to thread it through the outer!

Threading a precut cable through an outer is always a 50/50 job. You need to solder it immediately after cutting if you want to do that

bendertherobot

ugo.santalucia wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

But it shouldn't immediately happen. Especially if you want to thread it through the outer!

Threading a precut cable through an outer is always a 50/50 job. You need to solder it immediately after cutting if you want to do that

At the moment I super heat it then coat it in lube. Increases the odds.

But, are there pre cut cables? Would take some of the risk out. At the moment I use Clarks but have to remove the relevant end.

bendertherobot

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-road-st ... rake-wire/

SEEMS to have one end. But does it?

Grill

In a word, no. It makes no sense from a business standpoint.

Are you use bike specific wire cutters, or just a set from the hardware store? I've found a big difference.

bendertherobot

Bike ones.

bendertherobot

See, this suggests pre cut. They sell alternative ones with campag or mtb style ends

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-perfor ... sram-road/

bendertherobot

And these!

http://www.merlincycles.com/pair-of-roa ... 51593.html

dj58

I have a pair of Shimano wire cutters that give very good clean cuts, however you still have to be careful not to splay the end. As ugo said the only way to be sure is to solder the cut end. That cable you linked to looks like a good option, if it is single ended?

Grill

What exactly do you mean by pre-cut? All of my brake cable are 'pre-cut' (single ended) in the sense that they have the anchor on one end... Why would you cut before putting it through the outer? Never had to deal with frays on any of the dozens I've installed.

bendertherobot

Grill wrote:

What exactly do you mean by pre-cut? All of my brake cable are 'pre-cut' (single ended) in the sense that they have the anchor on one end... Why would you cut before putting it through the outer? Never had to deal with frays on any of the dozens I've installed.

pre cut as in having only one end. All the ones I keep buying are dual ended for road and mtb. So, single ended?

bendertherobot

DJ58 wrote:

I have a pair of Shimano wire cutters that give very good clean cuts, however you still have to be careful not to splay the end. As ugo said the only way to be sure is to solder the cut end. That cable you linked to looks like a good option, if it is single ended?

I've emailed Merlin to confirm.

darkhairedlord

Shimano, Kble(?) etc all have one end only.
They shouldn't fray as they are preformed during the wire making process.
I can imagine some cheaper cables without pre-forming will fray upon cutting. to prevent fraying after the cable has been cut but to still allow the cable to be pulled out for cleaning and re-lubricating you could dip the end in drop of superglue. I don't do this, preferring to just crimp the ferrule only "so" tight, such that it will pull off with pliers when I clean and re-lubricate the full length. For cutters I use a set of planet-X cutters, cheap but look just like a set of Felco wire rope cutters. Buy the Felco's if you have the money...

bendertherobot

Ta. That's very useful. Merlin have also confirmed that theirs are pre cut. So deciding now whether to go for them or the Shimano.

on-yer-bike

Campag and Shimano cables only have blob on one end and you trim to size after threading. If you need to re thread after cutting a blob of super glue can work.

mfin

I think you've pinpointed a problem that can happen if you get cables with two ends where one has to be removed. However, most cables from most manufacturers are supplied single ended so it will never be a problem, I don't think I've ever seen a cable with two ends like you describe, so you can pretty much buy anything else on the market.

cycleclinic

I rarely get fraying when cutting with park tool cn10 cutters. I understand your issue as I used to get it but when I changed cutters it stopped. Also the blades on the cutters blunt so have to be sharpened to the cutters replaced.

thespanishadam

This... I have never cut a cable before feeding it through the outer. Unless I am totally missing something here?

Grill wrote:

What exactly do you mean by pre-cut? All of my brake cable are 'pre-cut' (single ended) in the sense that they have the anchor on one end... Why would you cut before putting it through the outer? Never had to deal with frays on any of the dozens I've installed.